WD Passport Element - WD7500KMVV board issue

[norse51]

Hello all. I'm an unfortunate recipient of one of these brutal WD Passport Element SE drives, got it as a gift last year. I have the 750gb version, with the WD7500KMVV 2.5" drive. I was backing up some work data last week using Acronis True Image Echo Workstation when it became obvious there was some problem with the drive. After an hour or so into the backup, which had always run smoothly, files could no longer be backed up. Upon trying to reconnect the drive, the light comes on and the disk spins as normal...but the device is not recognized by Windows or Disk Management. I tried different computers and many Data Recovery software programs and also a Linux Knoppix 6.4.3 Live CD to no avail.

I found this post on here (below) that I was hoping would be a solution that involved moving the U12 (and possibly U14) memory chips:
http://forum.hddguru.com/wd10tmvv-t16204-60.html
I spoke with Western Digital support and since the drive was still under warranty I did an advanced RMA (meaning they send you a replacement drive before receiving your bad drive, if you provide a credit card for hold in case you don't send yours back to them). I also have approval to attempt "data recovery" from my drive before sending my bad drive back, they made a note of this so that I won't void the warranty return.

I recently recieved my replacement drive, and it isn't exactly the one I had. I have the 750gb version and they sent me the 1TB version. I figured "no big deal" and that I could still do the chip swap as mentioned in the other thread on here. Well here's the dilemma. My 750gb board does not have any chip installed at U12. There is only one at U14. I'd be grateful if someone could shed some light on this if they have any knowledge on this scenario. I have some of the data backed up on an older drive and this isn't worth paying $1000+ for one of those data recovery companies. I already bought a new SATA->USB Hard Drive Enclosure and will be making my own portable backup drive(s) from now on, but I'd like to get the data off this WD CrapPort if it only involves swapping a chip or two.

Here is a photo of the WD7500KMVV board and drive:



and here is a photo of the replacement drive they sent me, the WD10TMVV board and drive:

[jono-ats]

No external EPROM mean the ROM is embedded in CPU.

Except perhaps for connector issues, board problems in this series aren't common. Head and firmware issues are more so.

No offense, but I don't believe that you have made a reliable diagnosis at this point. These drives are a bit challenging sometimes for DR firms -- and way beyond the capabilities of do-it-yourselfers.

[pcimage]

As Jono says, PCB is very unlikely to be the problem as the drive spins up OK.

It's usually firmware issues on these drives, or possibly a suspect USB connector.

The only thing YOU can do is to check the USB connector.

[norse51]

Thanks for the responses gentlemen. I was initially leaning towards a firmware issue.
I was doing some research and found this for a different WD harddrive, but I was curious if this might apply to my drive also:
"Unfortunately if the firmware on your WD5000aaks is corrupted you won't be able to access the drive regardless of any attempts. Western Digital doesn't install the firmware for the drive in the PCB ROM; it is installed on hidden sectors of the disk itself. It's a design flaw on what is otherwise an excellent hard drive."

Is there anything I can do to try to force/flash a firmware reinstall back on, being that the drive isn't recognized and the firmware can't be installed by regular means (installation program)?

[BlackST]

Not without spending a lot of money on dedicated equipment...

[jono-ats]

Proper knowledge and experience is needed as well so that you don't further brick the drive.

If you have a heads issue, trying to fix firmware isn't going to help you. I don't know for sure what the failure is (without examining the drive) --- and neither do you.

[norse51]

thanks guys...sounds like I'm FUBAR'd with this drive. I'll probably end up sending it back to WD and completing the RMA process and waving bye-bye to the little bit of data I lost.

[pcimage]

thanks guys...sounds like I'm FUBAR'd with this drive. I'll probably end up sending it back to WD and completing the RMA process and waving bye-bye to the little bit of data I lost.

Looks like it, if you're not prepared to spend any $$ on pro help

[drc]

Is there anything I can do to try to force/flash a firmware reinstall back on, being that the drive isn't recognized and the firmware can't be installed by regular means (installation program)?

This isn't how hard drives work. You can't just "reinstall" the firmware and have access to your data, like you can't reinstall Windows and expect all of your programs to still be there / work.

"Western Digital doesn't install the firmware for the drive in the PCB ROM; it is installed on hidden sectors of the disk itself. It's a design flaw on what is otherwise an excellent hard drive."

This statement is misleading. Practically all hard drive firmware lives on the platters rather than the PCB. It is not specific to this drive, or model, or brand.